Vertical Loop Antenna for Consistent RFID Signal Radiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional location systems using horizontal loop antennas face significant signal power drops when mounted on conductive objects, leading to inconsistent signal strength and inaccurate tracking of objects regardless of their orientation or material.

Innovation Solution

The use of a transmitter or object identifier with a horizontal circuit board and a vertical loop antenna, where the loop plane is perpendicular to the object's surface, enabling consistent and isotropic radiation patterns, thus maintaining signal strength regardless of the object's orientation or material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a horizontal loop antenna is used in conventional location systems, then the antenna can be easily mounted on objects, but the radiated power drops significantly when mounted on conductive objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of mountingVSAvoidradiated power

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal loop antenna orientation by using a vertical loop antenna instead. This inversion changes the antenna's interaction with conductive surfaces, preventing the significant power drop that occurs with horizontal mounting on conductive objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of the loop antenna from horizontal to vertical. This parameter change fundamentally alters the radiation pattern and coupling characteristics with conductive surfaces, maintaining consistent radiated power across different mounting surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a horizontal loop antenna is used, then the antenna structure is simple, but the signal strength becomes inconsistent based on object orientation and material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna structure complexityVSAvoidsignal strength consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the antenna orientation from horizontal to vertical, the patent eliminates the orientation-dependent signal strength variations that plague horizontal antennas. The vertical orientation provides consistent performance regardless of how the object is oriented or what material it is made of.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical loop antenna design achieves universality by performing consistently across different mounting scenarios - whether the object is conductive or non-conductive, horizontally or vertically oriented. This single antenna configuration serves all mounting situations reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional antennas are used on conductive objects, then mounting is straightforward, but tracking accuracy deteriorates due to signal power loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidtracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using vertical loop antennas instead of horizontal ones. This inversion maintains ease of mounting while preventing the signal power loss that occurs on conductive surfaces, thereby preserving tracking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures consistent signal power and accurate tracking of objects of all types and materials, regardless of their orientation or mounting on conductive objects, by maintaining consistent signal strength and orientation independence.

Implementation Method 1

The transmitter or object identifier may also include a vertical loop antenna. The loop plane of the vertical loop antenna is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the object where the transmitter or object identifier is placed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS7443300B2Antennas for object identifiers in location systems

Publication Date: 2008.10.28 CONSORTIUM P INC

AI summary

Transmitters or object identifiers are discloses that are able to radiate consistent power regardless of the object where the transmitters or object identifiers are placed. The transmitter or object identifier may include a vertical loop antenna. The loop plane of the vertical loop antenna is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the object where the transmitter or object identifier is placed. The transmitter or object identifier may include a folded vertical loop antenna where the loop plane of the vertical loop antenna is extended and folded to have additional loop planes. The antennas of the present invention enable the transmitter or object identifier to radiate consistent power regardless of the object where the transmitter or object identifier is placed and regardless of the orientation of the transmitter or object identifier.